US Forces in Japan. Maintain or Withdraw?

[NERVUN]

Using a loaded word to make it sound worse than it really is. It's not a grammatical thing, it's called injecting bias.

Really? I don't care if I'm biased, I stated my opinion from the start, shouldn't it be obvious that I'm biased? I feel calling it that is perfectly fine considering my state of mind, it helps prove my point. Whether or not you feel it is correct is a personal thing, as far as I'm concerned.

Then your opinion is informed more on the basis of what you feel than the facts. Deciding national policy for two nations isn't something that should be done on feeling alone, especially for someone who isn't in Japan.

But I'm not here to argue with other users and moderators, I simply wanted opinions, and poll results. Which I'm getting plenty of.

I hate to tell you this, but General is a discussion forum, we're not here for you to get a survey done.

[Arpeji]

Stopping extra territorial rights , I think , will solve many things. Say allow the local arrests and tries the offending soldier, or at least public military trial by the US there.
The locals are scared since US soldiers can basically "attack" them without repercussion.

[NERVUN]

Stopping extra territorial rights , I think , will solve many things. Say allow the local arrests and tries the offending soldier, or at least public military trial by the US there.
The locals are scared since US soldiers can basically "attack" them without repercussion.

That's not true. SOFA allows the US to maintain custody of US troops until charges are filed. This can cause problems with Japanese investigations (Which in turn is another issue given Japanese police powers). However, in event of serious crimes, the US can wave this and hand people over.

[Ranmaverse]

Stopping extra territorial rights , I think , will solve many things. Say allow the local arrests and tries the offending soldier, or at least public military trial by the US there.
The locals are scared since US soldiers can basically "attack" them without repercussion.

They could if they wanted, I believe the last major offence was the rape of a 14 year old girl by a US soldier, who was arrested by the US government, but was given to Japanese authorities to be tried and convicted in Japan. I believe he was given 2 years in prison (Not totally sure).

The US tries to be fair, I appreciate it, I just don't think their soldiers can handle it. The rule that it only takes one person to ruin it for everyone is taken into effect a lot here.

[The Old South]

How about reducing US forces while re-militarizing Japan? Win-win?

[NERVUN]

How about reducing US forces while re-militarizing Japan? Win-win?

There's a little thing called Article 9 of the Constitution of Japan...

Edit: Assuming that Article 9 is amended (which, btw, the majority of the Japanese are against, no matter what kind of dreams Abe and Ishihara may have about it), there's also another problem, one of the declining birthrate. The SDF is currently riding high thanks to its efforts after the Tohoku quake, but they are still not the destination of choice for the youth of Japan, youth whose numbers are rapidly declining. Even assuming Japan re-armed itself, it would face the problem of way too few bodies to fit the slots and a highly competitive environment where companies are actively head-hunting youths just to have workers. The idea of the return of the IJN or IJA is a dream that simply cannot be accomplished.

[Greed and Death]

Excuse me? Atrocities?

Since 1972, 25 murders, 385 burglaries, 25 arsons, 127 rapes, 306 assaults, and 2,827 thefts have been committed by US soldiers in Okinawa alone.

That's more than 1, way more than 1. Therefore, Plural: Atrocities.

http://www.dprkstudies.org/documents/asia015.html

The crime rate for military personnel is significantly lower than the Okinawan population.

So I have a hard time saying the Marines who behave better than the typical population are an Atrocity.

[Greed and Death]

Stopping extra territorial rights , I think , will solve many things. Say allow the local arrests and tries the offending soldier, or at least public military trial by the US there.
The locals are scared since US soldiers can basically "attack" them without repercussion.

That's not true. SOFA allows the US to maintain custody of US troops until charges are filed. This can cause problems with Japanese investigations (Which in turn is another issue given Japanese police powers). However, in event of serious crimes, the US can wave this and hand people over.

Perhaps we would be more willing to had people over pre filing if the Japanese agreed not to hold them in solitary confinement from the initial arrest until end of trial/confession.

[NERVUN]

That's not true. SOFA allows the US to maintain custody of US troops until charges are filed. This can cause problems with Japanese investigations (Which in turn is another issue given Japanese police powers). However, in event of serious crimes, the US can wave this and hand people over.

Perhaps we would be more willing to had people over pre filing if the Japanese agreed not to hold them in solitary confinement from the initial arrest until end of trial/confession.

But... But... But how could the police get their confessions then?!

[Greed and Death]

Perhaps we would be more willing to had people over pre filing if the Japanese agreed not to hold them in solitary confinement from the initial arrest until end of trial/confession.

But... But... But how could the police get their confessions then?!

It is funny that Japan is considered more advanced, but if a crime takes place off duty off base the Koreans automatically have the right to arrest.
Perhaps if the Japanese followed the Korean way of doing things they will get a more favorable SOFA agreement.

[New England and The Maritimes]

How about reducing US forces while re-militarizing Japan? Win-win?

There's a little thing called Article 9 of the Constitution of Japan...

Edit: Assuming that Article 9 is amended (which, btw, the majority of the Japanese are against, no matter what kind of dreams Abe and Ishihara may have about it), there's also another problem, one of the declining birthrate. The SDF is currently riding high thanks to its efforts after the Tohoku quake, but they are still not the destination of choice for the youth of Japan, youth whose numbers are rapidly declining. Even assuming Japan re-armed itself, it would face the problem of way too few bodies to fit the slots and a highly competitive environment where companies are actively head-hunting youths just to have workers. The idea of the return of the IJN or IJA is a dream that simply cannot be accomplished.

Is there really no possible way to get more babies in Japan?

[Ranmaverse]

While the Japanese constitution forbids them from having a military, the Japanese self Defence Forces are a superpower in Asian terms. It's as good as a military.

I doubt any change will be made to the Japanese constitution, not to mention it's not the Japanese Constitution that keeps the Americans in the country, it's the mutual security treaty that's in affect.

[Greed and Death]

There's a little thing called Article 9 of the Constitution of Japan...

Edit: Assuming that Article 9 is amended (which, btw, the majority of the Japanese are against, no matter what kind of dreams Abe and Ishihara may have about it), there's also another problem, one of the declining birthrate. The SDF is currently riding high thanks to its efforts after the Tohoku quake, but they are still not the destination of choice for the youth of Japan, youth whose numbers are rapidly declining. Even assuming Japan re-armed itself, it would face the problem of way too few bodies to fit the slots and a highly competitive environment where companies are actively head-hunting youths just to have workers. The idea of the return of the IJN or IJA is a dream that simply cannot be accomplished.

Is there really no possible way to get more babies in Japan?

Get the men to start helping with the kids and the house, get the employer to stop forcing the men to go out drinking every night, all and all get rid of the sexism rampant in Japan.

[Coltarin]

The American Forces are there as a buffer to China. It's a bigger influence than you'd think having a couple thousand Marines and the US 7th Fleet with in a few hours of your capital. They should stay, were pulling out in Europe and the Middle east and because China is becoming more of a threat than Iran the US need's to focus their attention there because China already has nuclear weapons and a cold war over Rare Earth Elements will be a future issue.

[Wisconsin9]

There's a little thing called Article 9 of the Constitution of Japan...

Edit: Assuming that Article 9 is amended (which, btw, the majority of the Japanese are against, no matter what kind of dreams Abe and Ishihara may have about it), there's also another problem, one of the declining birthrate. The SDF is currently riding high thanks to its efforts after the Tohoku quake, but they are still not the destination of choice for the youth of Japan, youth whose numbers are rapidly declining. Even assuming Japan re-armed itself, it would face the problem of way too few bodies to fit the slots and a highly competitive environment where companies are actively head-hunting youths just to have workers. The idea of the return of the IJN or IJA is a dream that simply cannot be accomplished.

Is there really no possible way to get more babies in Japan?

Too little land, too many people.

[New England and The Maritimes]

Is there really no possible way to get more babies in Japan?

Get the men to start helping with the kids and the house, get the employer to stop forcing the men to go out drinking every night, all and all get rid of the sexism rampant in Japan.

Gender roles would be a big one, I think. Taking action to end this idea that women with children are "not allowed" to have careers should do most of it. Women refuse to have babies because to them it ruins their lives.

[Saint Roguensburg]

some of their bases here in the Philippines have been closed down.. why can't they let them go?

[NERVUN]

But... But... But how could the police get their confessions then?!

It is funny that Japan is considered more advanced, but if a crime takes place off duty off base the Koreans automatically have the right to arrest.
Perhaps if the Japanese followed the Korean way of doing things they will get a more favorable SOFA agreement.

IIRC, the Japanese police CAN arrest, it's the holding prior to charges being brought that SOFA comes in.

Pretty much if you're an idiot and get in trouble off of base, the police can arrest you, but then they must turn you over to the base until charges are filed unless you did something REALLY stupid and America waves that.

Is there really no possible way to get more babies in Japan?

Sure, Japan could have a major shift and allow, nay, encourage women to continue working past childbirth, build more childcare facilities, and allow for flex time so that fathers and mothers can care for their children (Involved parenting by dads has gotten much better)... But... given that some 70% of companies admit that it is burdensome to allow for maternity leave and some 50% admitted to wanting their female employees to quit once they get pregnant, not to mention Nagatacho being more interested in "Who's Gonna Be Prime Minister Next?!" rather than address any problems Japan has... I wouldn't hold my breath.

While the Japanese constitution forbids them from having a military, the Japanese self Defence Forces are a superpower in Asian terms. It's as good as a military.

You keep saying this, repeating things does not make it true.

[NERVUN]

Is there really no possible way to get more babies in Japan?

Too little land, too many people.

Not exactly, this is actually a huge problem over here.

Get the men to start helping with the kids and the house, get the employer to stop forcing the men to go out drinking every night, all and all get rid of the sexism rampant in Japan.

Gender roles would be a big one, I think. Taking action to end this idea that women with children are "not allowed" to have careers should do most of it. Women refuse to have babies because to them it ruins their lives.

It's not helping that over 50% of men aged 20 to 24 view their marriage prospects as rather dim.

[New England and The Maritimes]

Too little land, too many people.

Not exactly, this is actually a huge problem over here.

Gender roles would be a big one, I think. Taking action to end this idea that women with children are "not allowed" to have careers should do most of it. Women refuse to have babies because to them it ruins their lives.

It's not helping that over 50% of men aged 20 to 24 view their marriage prospects as rather dim.

I'm 20 and I view my marriage prospects as nonexistent. I'm sure it improves, but I have no idea.

[Geilinor]

Since 1972, 25 murders, 385 burglaries, 25 arsons, 127 rapes, 306 assaults, and 2,827 thefts have been committed by US soldiers in Okinawa alone.

That's more than 1, way more than 1. Therefore, Plural: Atrocities.

http://www.dprkstudies.org/documents/asia015.html

The crime rate for military personnel is significantly lower than the Okinawan population.

So I have a hard time saying the Marines who behave better than the typical population are an Atrocity.

As US soldiers, their actions are America's responsibility. What they do reflects on the entire military.

[Greed and Death]

http://www.dprkstudies.org/documents/asia015.html

The crime rate for military personnel is significantly lower than the Okinawan population.

So I have a hard time saying the Marines who behave better than the typical population are an Atrocity.

As US soldiers, their actions are America's responsibility. What they do reflects on the entire military.

I say being a better behaved population then the Japanese, is a pretty good reflection on the military.

Military training does not suddenly make you into an angel, but looking at statistics it seems to come close.

[The Old South]

How about reducing US forces while re-militarizing Japan? Win-win?

There's a little thing called Article 9 of the Constitution of Japan...

Edit: Assuming that Article 9 is amended (which, btw, the majority of the Japanese are against, no matter what kind of dreams Abe and Ishihara may have about it), there's also another problem, one of the declining birthrate. The SDF is currently riding high thanks to its efforts after the Tohoku quake, but they are still not the destination of choice for the youth of Japan, youth whose numbers are rapidly declining. Even assuming Japan re-armed itself, it would face the problem of way too few bodies to fit the slots and a highly competitive environment where companies are actively head-hunting youths just to have workers. The idea of the return of the IJN or IJA is a dream that simply cannot be accomplished.

I thought amending it was implied, but anywho, the demographics issue in Japan is so dire that they can't provide volunteers for self-defense? Must be funny to have 127 million people but not enough youth to serve. Water, water everywhere...

[NERVUN]

There's a little thing called Article 9 of the Constitution of Japan...

Edit: Assuming that Article 9 is amended (which, btw, the majority of the Japanese are against, no matter what kind of dreams Abe and Ishihara may have about it), there's also another problem, one of the declining birthrate. The SDF is currently riding high thanks to its efforts after the Tohoku quake, but they are still not the destination of choice for the youth of Japan, youth whose numbers are rapidly declining. Even assuming Japan re-armed itself, it would face the problem of way too few bodies to fit the slots and a highly competitive environment where companies are actively head-hunting youths just to have workers. The idea of the return of the IJN or IJA is a dream that simply cannot be accomplished.

I thought amending it was implied, but anywho, the demographics issue in Japan is so dire that they can't provide volunteers for self-defense? Must be funny to have 127 million people but not enough youth to serve. Water, water everywhere...

There are more people over 60 than under 15 in Japan. Currently the number of children born per woman is less than one, far under just replacement (Which is 2.2). Pretty much by the next century, Japan will have halved its population.

[SovietKitties]

Lol you really believe a piece of paper is going to stop them being aggressive. Don't get me wrong, I think we should leave. I fully believe they won't start another war unless provoked. But, it's a piece of paper. The only authority it has is what people enforce and that's up to the government.